Arrival at Ecovillage Aperuy: A Warm Welcome and an Early Start

We finally arrived at Ecovillage Aperuy, our home for the next few days. Ayumi-san, the innkeeper, welcomed us warmly. I had met her in a Kindle writing course and was captivated by her lifestyle in Yakushima, which made me eager to visit her and experience the place firsthand.

The house at Aperuy is built by her family and the Aperuy team using trees from the island. Everything is natural, eco-friendly, and designed to be comfortable for both body and soul.

Despite our excitement, we had a very short night ahead. Not only did we arrive late, but we also had to depart at 5:00 am tomorrow morning for the famous trekking tour to the Jomon Sugi!

The equipment for tomorrow's trek was already prepared by Ayumi-san and her team. We checked and repacked our gear, ensuring everything was ready for the early start.

Afterward, we took a firewood-fired bath and enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by Ayumi-san using a firewood-fired cooking stove. The meal was not only nourishing but also a delightful experience, enhanced by our engaging conversation with Ayumi-san.

Before we knew it, it was time to go to bed. With an early wake-up call ahead, we settled in for the night, eager for the adventure that awaited us in the morning.